Low budget trip now or pricier trip later?? Advice please!

[Alice's Mommy]

So this is my deal: DH and I were going to take the kids to WDW in October 2011 but then decided to postpone for yet another year because the trip was so pricey if we stay at the park. (FYI, this would be the THIRD time we've pushed back the trip by a year)

For whatever reason last week DH and I started talking about taking a family vacation that was not WDW, in the interim. (Thoughts were along the lines of taking a drive to NYC for an overnight stay or a weekend at Gettysburg) We started looking at hotels and transportation costs and somehow the idea of staying off property came up and seemed very affordable if we make some cuts.

So my question is: would you take a trip to WDW that wasn't what you had originally planned but could be taken this year (this May in fact!) OR would you continue to save for a trip that seems ideal but keeps getting pushed back?

Some other info: if we go this year I have permission from the principal to pull my DD5 out of school for the week. I won't have that luxury next year or any year after so I'd have to go during the school vacations when costs and crowds go up. BUT if we wait the kids will be that much older and might appreciate the trip more.

What to do? What to do?

 

[Princess Nancy]

We have always (almost always) stayed off property. We love to rent a condo for a fraction of the price, have our own pool, kitchen and our own rooms!

I don't like the Disney transportation, so parking my car is a much better option for us, and I take a cooler in the back, not much but enough so that as we jump in the car at the end of a long day, I can hand out water bottles!

I do not think the drive is any further than many of the resorts.

With that said, we go all day and do not try to head back for rest breaks etc. Never had any interest in that. We also do not do a Disney Park everyday. I know crazy aren't we? Seriously we just need a few days off to recharge!! LOL!

Now, last fall we stopped at Disney for 2 nights after a cruise. We stayed onsite. Man, was the room crowded!! And it was just the kids and me. DH went directly home.

Now Dh says "someday" we will go and stay in a deluxe and do it all. I doubt it!!

 

[KellyNY]

What do you mean by Dream Vacation? If you dream of Deluxe with DDP, stop it, you really do not need it when it cost you delaying trips. As for off site, depends on where and why. Your family is small, you do not need condo nor villa, you can fit perfectly in 1 room. Do you plan to drive to Orlando or fly? Car is very convenient but Disney and non Disney resort buses busy only at night, during the day no problem. Do you want to pay for parking at parks, $15 a day and possibly at resort? Do you want to rent a car for another $30 a day minimum? My advice would be to stay at value on property. Alternative to find off site resort with free transportation. Yes it will be scheduled and most likely no middle day breaks(although some resorts have more generous sschedule). Just read every resort carefully. Some will charge you daily fees for pool and paper, some will not. Call them, ask about schedule to Disney, ask to fax it to you. Ask if it is free.
As for food, you do not need a kitchen to be able to fix breakfast. Buy instant oat meals, cup a soups, granolla bars, pack some apples. That is what I do to save some money. At parks share meals or go with kids meals for everyone.
Just sit and count carefully what you can come out with on and off sites.
I would definitely take budget trip over more waiting.

 

[JaymeC]

Take this for what you will, but I would put it off another year IF it's going to be THE trip and it will be years before you go back again. My reasonings aren't financial based, but also kid based. Your kids would enjoy it more a year older. If you were going to be going back again in a year or two, I wouldn't hit on that, but if it's just going to be the one big trip, I prefer to go when they're old enough to remember it.

Having said that, I also wouldn't bat an eye at taking my elementary aged kid out of school for a week, upset principal or not. I would inform them, let them know I'm happy to take a packet of work with me or any other sort of thing to make it an approved trip and go for it. My parents took the same outlook and I traveled a lot when I was supposed to be in school, and it never hurt me.

Also as one poster mentioned, it's a lot easier to go back to the hotel and recharge with a place right there. And with a 4 year old you'll definitely need time to recharge. And also, if you go and either of your kids fit into strollers still do not be shy about using them. My 5yo was happy to nap in a borrowed one from a friend during our last visit And start taking them on long walks a few months out, get those little legs ready

 

[Shmily1]

I would do the trip this year rather than wait. You may find that your dream trip is the actual trip itself rather than how nice of a resort you can stay in later. Your children are at great ages for a first trip and all the amazement in their eyes will make it THE trip.

With that said, I would look at the room discounts closely before I got a resort off property. I've done it both ways and won't go again to stay off property. The value resorts are a lot of fun and decorated with children in mind. Maybe you can look at AS Movies as an option. DS20 and DD19 always ask why I keep going back there and AS Music. Then I have to fess up and tell them it's because I'm there to have fun and to me, those are the fun resorts and are decorated for fun.

No matter what you pick, I hope your family has a blast!!

 

[need2cruise]

I also vote to stay in a value hotel. At your kids ages, they will love All-Star Movies and honestly it is just as cheap as a hotel room outside of Disney. especially when you add in the cost of parking at the parks daily.

I vote for this year too--even if it means offsite!

 

[TnTWalter]

book a studio at DVC through an owner. You Can add DDP and I would with the kids still considered kids....

Go to the DVC rent board on here.

They even have kitchenettes to have snacks or breakfast to make it even easier.

You could do a Sat to Sat for $760 - $1200.
or save even more by doing Sun - Friday.
$500-$900
assuming $10 a point which is pretty typical.
And you're deluxe.

Trish

 

[BuzznBelle'smom]

I would go now, and stay offsite. A small condo or townhouse would probably be cheaper than even a value, and you could easily cook meals to save more money. Even if you only do simple breakfasts, it's still very easy to do. Also, don't minimize the value of having laundry facilities, especially with two young children.

I have 4 kids, so we rent a house, and my kids love it, even more than staying onsite. So much so, that we sold our DVC. In addition to our WDW trips, last Feb. we did a "non-Disney Orlando trip", and went to Seaworld, Gatorland, etc. It was meant as a warm getaway, we had a fabulous time.

On another note--about trip timing. New Hampshire has Feb. break a week later than other states. I suspect it has to do with snow sports--the tourists come President's Day week, the locals get the week after with fewer crowds. That makes Feb. vacation the perfect time for a NH family--like mine and yours--to go to WDW, a warm break and fairly low crowds. The only catch is, airfare will be more, since you'd be flying out of Manchester--we flew out of Hartford, which was cheaper. Anyway, I'm just throwing that out there, for your future planning. My oldest is in HS, and I can't even think about taking kids out of school.

 

[Marionnette]

So this is my deal: DH and I were going to take the kids to WDW in October 2011 but then decided to postpone for yet another year because the trip was so pricey if we stay at the park. (FYI, this would be the THIRD time we've pushed back the trip by a year)

For whatever reason last week DH and I started talking about taking a family vacation that was not WDW, in the interim. (Thoughts were along the lines of taking a drive to NYC for an overnight stay or a weekend at Gettysburg) We started looking at hotels and transportation costs and somehow the idea of staying off property came up and seemed very affordable if we make some cuts.

So my question is: would you take a trip to WDW that wasn't what you had originally planned but could be taken this year (this May in fact!) OR would you continue to save for a trip that seems ideal but keeps getting pushed back?

Some other info: if we go this year I have permission from the principal to pull my DD5 out of school for the week. I won't have that luxury next year or any year after so I'd have to go during the school vacations when costs and crowds go up. BUT if we wait the kids will be that much older and might appreciate the trip more.

What to do? What to do?

I guess it depends on whether you will feel like you "settled" for something less if you go for a cheaper trip this year instead of waiting for your planned trip. There are alot of ways to go to disney on a small budget. But if you dream of waking up to a view of the castle from your room, then staying at the best western on i-drive is just not going to cut it.

The kids' ages are also a factor. Our kids took there first trip when they were five (almost six), four (just barely) and two. Only the oldest remembers the trip. They've had other trips so this isnt a big deal. But if this is a once in a lifetime visit to disney then you may want to wait another year.

And finally, this really will depend on how you like to vacation. If you prefer to cast caution to the wind and spend freely while you vacation then a budget trip will not make you happy. I would not go if I had to watch every penny. Thats just the way I am. We took a trip with another family a couple of years ago. They had a very tight budget. There was alot that we skipped because they couldnt afford the character breakfasts or the park hoppers or the waterpark fun option. We enjoyed the visit (it was still disney) but it was not our best trip and not the way we like to do disney.

 

[NancyIL]

I will almost always choose two less-expensive trips over one whizbang one! However, I like your original idea of going somewhere other than WDW. I love WDW and go several times a year, but that is in addition to other places and not instead of.

 

[tarheel618]

Go now. If you plan it too much and it doesn't happen exactly the way you plan you might not enjoy it as much.

Value resorts are well themed for young children.

This next part might sound really bad so please forgive if I offend….

You never know what the future may hold, so don't take time for granted because we aren't guaranteed anything in life.

Live and enjoy now.

 

[MSSANDRA]

We have taken budget and not so budget trips. We have enjoyed ALL the trips.

A few things to consider. If this is the only year you are willing to take your child our of school, this may be the only chance to enjoy the parks with MUCH lower crowds..a huge plus. I however took DS out till high school wih no issue and will do the same with DGS.

Your kids will never be this age again. They are the perfect age to truly believe the magic

What will change things next year??? Kids needs get bigger as they get bigger! Unless so big change like a job change ..will it really matter.

Is the the ONLY trip you will ever take??? I might wait if this is the case. We go often.

REally look at the value resorts on site. There are good buys to be found, free dining deals, you have no parking fees, and you would not need to rent a car if you fly.

Lots to consider.

 

[Soon2B4]

I guess, what is your idea of a dream vacation? We are more than happy staying at a value with young kids. We have stayed at AKL and it was nice, but staying at values means we get to go more frequently. We are going in a few weeks and staying at Pop with the free QS dining plan. I am more than happy with that. Yes the value rooms are smaller, but so are your kids. I agree with PP, check for discounts. There are many advantages to staying onsite and discounts sometimes make it the cheaper option.

 

[brymolmom]

We always do lesser-priced WDW vacations so that we can go more often! We don't need high end hotels or food.

We like staying onsite AND offsite.

I will share my experience. I have found that staying ONSITE with FREE DINING ends up in many cases being ABOUT EVEN or even a bit LESS EXPENSIVE than staying offsite. We always rent a car offsite - and when you factor in that cost, plus gas (which is minimal) plus parking (which is significant if going for a week) versus using Magical Express for free transportation to/from airport plus free bus transportation around the World PLUS ALL YOUR FOOD FOR FREE - that ends up being even or less than offsite.

We can stay at a Value, get basic dining plan (would pay for at least one character meal OOP, but likely would do that offsite anyway - so it's a wash), plus tickets plus transportation for about $1750 for a week. We are 2 adults and 2 kids.

For a week offsite, here's what I would figure:
car: $150 (with a very good deal)
gas: $30
parking: ($14 per day times 6) - $84
lodging: let's say a good condo rental, depending on time of year: $400
food:
groceries for condo: $50
eating out: $200 - $300
tickets: 7 day non-hopping: $930

Total offsite with these numbers- $1844

So my suggestion would be to do BOTH - if they reoffer the free dining promotion - I would choose a time to go and stay onsite but still do a less expensive vacation this way!

 

[mom2grace]

Some other info: if we go this year I have permission from the principal to pull my DD5 out of school for the week. I won't have that luxury next year or any year after so I'd have to go during the school vacations when costs and crowds go up. BUT if we wait the kids will be that much older and might appreciate the trip more.

What to do? What to do?

You don't need permission from anyone to take your kids out of school! Maybe when you get to high school and they are in the top 10 in their class & it could affect class standing/scholarships, but even then!

Our kids are 4th & 1st grade & they typically miss a week/year. It's never a problem.

I would go now, you can always go later!!

 

[Aliceacc]

(FYI, this would be the THIRD time we've pushed back the trip by a year)

... and seemed very affordable if we make some cuts.

...(this May in fact!) OR would you continue to save for a trip that seems ideal but keeps getting pushed back?

Some other info: if we go this year I have permission from the principal to pull my DD5 out of school for the week. I won't have that luxury next year or any year after so I'd have to go during the school vacations when costs and crowds go up. BUT if we wait the kids will be that much older and might appreciate the trip more.

RE-read your post.

YOU WANT TO GO! You listed reason after reason why you should take this trip this May.

So go

 

[Judique]

We have taken budget and not so budget trips. We have enjoyed ALL the trips.

Same here......some not so budget trips .....if I had it to do over, I would skip some of the higher priced options such as high priced resort rooms and the more expensive meals. Staying offsite is okay also - I've done both and offsite has a lot of pluses for budget and dining.

Also - go now with the kids ages. You will probably go back and the kids enjoy some things at younger ages and other things as they get older.

 

[Marionnette]

You don't need permission from anyone to take your kids out of school! Maybe when you get to high school and they are in the top 10 in their class & it could affect class standing/scholarships, but even then!

Our kids are 4th & 1st grade & they typically miss a week/year. It's never a problem.

I would go now, you can always go later!!

Every school district handles things differently. Missing a week of school can have a huge impact on the child's education. Some districts will not allow for make up work if the absence was unexcused. A parent can be called on the carpet and even fined if a child misses more than the allotted days even if some of them were excused. And yes in high school this can have a huge impact on class ranking. I would not risk the thousands in scholarship money that my kids got for the sake of a disney vacation. Your kids are still young. You may change your mind when they actually reach the age where the consequences are bigger.

 

[loveysbydesign]

Go NOW! Do it cheaper and have fun! You will love it because it will be your 1st trip! Life is too short to keep pushing back a trip because it costs too much. We love off-site(specifically Windsor Hills and Indian Creek rentals). We have always stayed off-site except for one time when we stayed at SSR through a friend that owns DVC. We still prefer off-site to SSR!

Also you say about waiting til they appreciate it more. My son is 3 1/2 y.o. and every single day he asks me "When can we go back to Mickey's house?". He talks about his 1st time on the tea cups and how how misses riding on the monorail, and just yesterday we were looking at pictures of him when he was 5 months old at WDW. The joy and memories that WDW will give your children and you can not be compared to anywhere else.

 

[loveysbydesign]

You can also find great off-site deals through this site
http://www.wyndham-vacations.com/main.taf?p=4,6&id1=EM_December10TV&id2=header